US Army reviews

The promotional process is very rigid and bureaucratic. This slows career advancement down to an unacceptable pace for many people. The starting salaries are generally well below private industry. Sure ARL and the Feds in general give nice benefits, but the salary is often so low for young employees that it is not competitive with private industry. Wait until you can come in as a high level engineer to work for ARL. Those salaries are more comparable to private industry.

as an officer, after the first few years, the work can become very very strenuous. there are many jobs in the army that are relaxed and the expectations are not high. however in the operational world, one a Soldier makes captain - the slave mentality can take over. everyone is supposed to sacrifice for the greater good of the unit and the nation. therefore, work 60 hours weeks...now 70...no you cant get days off etc. Remember, your salary and benefits are fixed regardless of your production. there are no bonuses. also, people think the military is a meritocracy and filled with selfless individuals. the oppposite is true. just like any other large organization - the military is driven by people and their personalities and self interests. it is a decent organization, but one must remember that just wearing a uniform does not change the people wearing it.